Extra's Ascent

Aldrich tried, he really did.

He did his best to let Edward speak his mind and finish whatever he had to say, hoping there would be a sliver of rationality at the end of it all.

He was ready to answer with nothing more than a simple "yes" or "okay," because, deep down, he knew that whatever came out of Edward's mouth wouldn't affect him.

At least he wouldn't let it.

He tried to do just that, but soon realized he wasn't the type to take things lying down.

Not when he had his peace to defend.

"Ha! Haha! Hahaha!" Aldrich burst into laughter—controlled, almost robotic, but undeniably amused.

It was too much. The absurdity of it all had him cracking up, unable to hold back.

"So let me get this straight," Aldrich said, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "Fiona's in a bad place right now, in a vulnerable state, and you think that's why I had the chance to talk to her? Is that about right?"

"It's not about what I think. It's the truth," Edward responded, unwavering in his belief.

Aldrich blinked, staring at Edward in disbelief. "Wow. You're looking down on me, aren't you?" he muttered under his breath, his mind racing.

Figures, he's from Upstate after all.

This should generally be the conversation dynamic between a person from Upstate and a person from anywhere else.

Fiona and Dante are the odd ones out who do not think anything of financial ranks.

"And what if I say I don't care? What if I say I won't stop being friends with her on my own terms?" Aldrich challenged, raising an eyebrow.

"It's not about what you want," Edward countered, his voice cold and unyielding. "It's what will happen. When she gets herself together, Fiona will come to her senses and realize you're not someone worth talking to."

"Hey now!" Trevor stood up, his face flushed with frustration. "That's crossing the line."

Trevor's voice, rough and heated, was enough to stir the others, but Aldrich raised his hand in a calming gesture.

"Trevor," he said, his tone measured, "sit down. Let me handle this."

Aldrich turned back to Edward, an air of calmness settling over him despite the tension. "Okay, Edward. I understand your point. Now, listen to mine—" But before he could continue, a sudden wave of murmurs erupted from nearby students.

The noise was enough to stop Aldrich mid-sentence.

He glanced toward the source of the whispers and he didn't find it hard to figure out what had caught everyone's attention.

Selina.

She entered the cafeteria with her entourage of beautiful girls, commanding the attention of every pair of eyes in the room.

And there, trailing behind her, was Aldrich's younger sister.

Her silver hair shimmered in the light, impossible to miss.

It was enough to draw the crowd's focus, something she likely relished.

But it wasn't just her presence that had drawn everyone's eyes.

It was the direction she was walking in.

Aldrich's eyes followed Selina's path, and his heart sank as he realized where she was heading.

Fiona.

Sure enough, Selina's entourage was following her as she made a beeline straight toward Fiona, who sat alone at a corner table, minding her business.

Aldrich knew what was about to unfold.

This wasn't the first time. It felt almost scripted.

Selina, with her usual bravado, would approach Fiona, bullying her and trying to make her feel small, insignificant.

Then Dante Pendragon, having danced with Fiona at that event, would intervene.

He would stop Selina, escort Fiona away from the situation, and, ultimately, another chapter of their evolving friendship would unfold, one that would eventually blossom into something more.

Is what transpired in this scenario if his memories haven't failed him yet.

However, the scene unfolding before him was different this time, or at least would be judging from how Fiona and Dante had yet to make any connection whatsoever to give Dante a reason to stand up for her.

Selina had already reached Fiona and stood before her.

Their conversation, though muted was charged with tension.

Aldrich couldn't hear the words, the body language was what helped him make out bits and pieces of what was ensuing over there.

Selina sat down, her entourage filling in the rest of the seats around her.

The conversation between the two girls grew more heated by the second.

And then, as if on cue, Selina stood up again.

Her eyes were aflame, a glare so intense it seemed as though she might actually burn Fiona alive with just a look.

Her entourage followed suit, standing around Fiona, their posture aggressive enough to make anyone think they were about to pounce.

Aldrich could no longer stand idly by.

He rose to his feet, undecided as to what to do to this.

His eyes were on Dante who remained neutral and showed less interest in the scene.

Then, it just struck Aldrich...

"Don't!" Edward's voice was sharp, with the right timing to when Aldrich was about to make steps.

"Don't what, Edward?" Aldrich turned to him, sarcasm dripping from his words. "Should I just sit here while my friend is in danger? Let her handle it herself?"

"Fiona and Selina have been childhood friends. They've known each other longer than you could imagine. Whatever's going on between them is for them to fix. Outsiders like you should learn your place and learn to stay out of it," Edward said, his posture stiff as he too rose from his seat.

Aldrich's face, which had begun to tighten with annoyance, slowly loosened.

He exhaled a slow, controlled breath, willing himself to remain calm.

"I've had just about enough of your ridiculous comments, Edward," Aldrich said evenly, his voice low but steady. "I've put up with you out of courtesy, but that last comment? That was the last straw so you had better watch what comes out of your mouth next time because I promise you, I have words to say too, words you wouldn't want coming out."

He wasn't making a threat.

Threats were for people who didn't intend to act.

No, Aldrich meant it. If pushed far enough, he would follow through.